Wildcat (Felis silvestris Schreber, 1777) in Ukraine: modern state of the populations and eastwards expansion of the species [Electronic resource] (original) (raw)
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WILDCAT FELIS SILVESTRIS SCHREBER 1777 IN UKRAINE
Modern state of the wildcat populations in Ukraine is analyzed on the basis of detailed review and analysis of its records above (annotations) and before (detailed ca-dastre) 2000. Data on 71 modern records in 10 administrative regions of Ukraine are summarized, including: Lviv (8), Volyn (1), Ivano-Frankivsk (2), Chernivtsi (31), Khmelnyts kyi (4), Vinnytsia (14), Odesa (4), Mykolaiv (4), Kirovohrad (2) and Cherkasy (1) regions. Detailed maps of species distribution in some regions, and in Ukraine in gene ral, and the analysis of the rates of expansion as well as direction of change in species limits of the distribution are presented. Morphological characteristics of the samples from the territory of Ukraine are described.
New data on distribution of the wildcat (Felis silvestris Schreber, 1777) in Podillia
Theriologia Ukrainica, 2019
New data on distribution of the wildcat (Felis silvestris Schreber, 1777) in Podillia, Ukraine.-M. Drebet, Ya. Kapeliukh.-During 2016-2019, new data on the wildcat's distribution in Khmelnytskyi, Vinnytsia, and Ternopil regions were obtained. The data concern 4 findings of the wildcat whereof 3 findings are dead specimens (a dead female in a poacher's automatic trap, 2 specimens (male and female) hunted by a poacher, one specimen killed during the red fox population control measures in Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park, and one specimens recorded by a camera trap in Medobory Nature Reserve. The article provides detailed data on new findings of the species in Podillia and describes the environmental factors influencing its population, as well as provides recommendations on protection of the wildcat in the region. The frequency of occurrence of the wildcat in Podillia has been growing for several years. Nevertheless, the data remain incidental and occasional thus cannot indicate the growth of the species abundance in the region. Most of the located specimens were found dead on roads, in poacher traps or they were even killed during population control measures in the territory of protected areas. According to the information provided by Kamianets-Podilskyi organization of the Ukrainian Hunter and fishermen Society, its associate hunting teams annually obtain more than 100 specimens of feral cats, among which supposedly there is a great number of wildcats. Currently, spaying feral cats is the key element for preservation of the wildcat population in general, nevertheless, this aim remains unfulfilled only because this issue is not addressed properly thus a significant number of intact pets maintains contacts with the wildcat outside the human settlements. Ecological educational programs are an essential measure for the wildcat protection, especially in its habitats, though usually such work is aimed at both current and remote prospects. It is expected that a ban for hunting of feral cats in habitats of the wildcat implemented by including the appropriate paragraph into the population control permit issued by the Ecology and Natural Resources Department should enhance the species' preservation in the near future. Availability of long-distance photographic equipment for locating the wildcat (such as camera traps) and monitoring system implementation at least on sites of protected areas would provide the required data on the abundance and distribution of the wildcat in the region allowing to improve measure for its protection and conservation. K e y w o r d s : wildcat, Podillia, regulation of predators, poaching, camera traps. C o r r e s p o n d e n c e t o : M.
Some ecomorphological characteristics of the population of wildcat Felis silvestris Schreber 1777 in the flooded areas of Voivodina were investigated in the period 1970 - 1977. The ecological characteristics of wildcat were examined under natural conditions, using the method of nocturnal transaction recording, as well in animals captured in their natural environment. The total length of the transects (Fig. 1) are presented in Table 1. Specimens were also collected in the flooded areas (Table 2, Fig. 2). Determinations were made of the distribution of the wildcat on the territory of Voivodina (Fig. 3). It was found that the specie inhabits forest biocoenosis as well as other parts of the area of distribution of the subspecies F. s. silvestris, and in the flood areas of the big rivers, at altitudes under 100 m; these findings correspond to the descriptions of the biotope of the subspecies F. s. caucasica. On the basis on nocturnal transaction recording, the density of the wildcat population in the different regions was calculated (Table 4). Variations in density were found which are attributable to living conditions in the habitat and to the antropogenic factor. Also, the total number of wildcats on the territory of Voivodina was counted (Table 6). Changes were found in the density of the population as a function of time, in a part of the distribution area in the flooded parts of the territory, as a result of the catastrophic floods in 1970 and 1974 (Graph 1). A high correlation was found between the increased number of hunters within the ecological area of the distributions of the species and the number of bagged animals. On the basis of the amount of game taken in the second half of the nineteenth century, observations were made concerning the fluctuation in numbers of the wildcat species which are correlated to the periods of catastrophic floods of the Danube (Graph 4). Marking the points of encounter with specimens of the species in the examined territory was used to determine the type of dispersion of the population (Fig. 4) of the wildcat, and the dependence of such dispersion on the altitude of the flood zone (Fig. 5). On the basis of recording in the natural environment, the average sizes of the areas of activity of micropopulations (Fig. 6) and of individual animals (Fig. 7) in the flooded areas of Voivodina were determined. On the basis of recordings in the natural environment and in the experiment, the course of activities of the species was determined (Graphs 5 and 6). The gastric content was analyzed in the specimens collected and it was found that mouse-like rodents form the base of nutrition of this species in flood areas (Table 8). The samples were used to determine the age structure of the wildcat population of the flooded areas of Voivodina (Fig. 8); on the basis of the above data table of death rates was compiled, (Table 9), with a survey of deaths and survivals. By interpolating data on the birth rates of different age groups of domestic cats, with the aid of data on the number and age structure of the population of wildcat in the flooded areas, a calculation was made of the definitive rate of growth of the population, which is in high correlation with the data on the increase in the density of population under natural environmental conditions, given the normal oscillations of the water level (Graph 1). The external biometric characteristics of the population of wildcat in the flooded areas of Vojvodina (Table 11) and their variations (Graph 9) were processed statistically. Significant differences were found in regard to weight as compared to specimens from the other parts of the European area of distribution. Cranial measurements if 28 traits were carried out and the order of their variation was determined (Graph 10). The criteria applied to determining the sex on the basis of cranial measurements were brought to the level of objectivity (Table 12). Computer analysis of the cranial traits o wildcat from different parts of the European area, according to the data published in the literature, gave confirmation and statistical proof of Haltenorth’s assertion that the European area is inhabited by a single subspecies of the wildcat, which is contrary to the statements of other authors. Comparisons of statistical indices of the cranial measurements of the European subspecies of the wildcat with the same indices in the population inhabiting the flooded areas of Vojvodina showed the existence of highly significant differences in the total, condillobasal and basal length of the cranium, in the length and lateral length of the nasal bone, the interorbital width, the length of the mandible, the upper and lower row of teeth, and the length of the lower molars. On the basis of the above differences it was found that he population of the wildcat inhabiting the flooded areas in Vojvodina differs considerably from the other European populations. However, a definitive determination of its systemic status requires further verification, which is to be the aim of future research.
The wildcat is one of the most endangered carnivore species in Europe. The population density declined and the distribution area became fragmented over the last century due to the hybridisation, loss of habitat, illegal hunting and road kills (Stahl and Artois 1994). However, a slight increase in the population density could be found in Belgium, France, Germany and Slovenia over the last few decades due to the recolonisation and reintroductions (Stahl and Artois 1994). Wildcats have been protected in Hungary since 1973, but the situation of this species was not been investigated until 1987. Mail questionnaire surveys were conducted between 1987 and 2001 to evaluate the changes of population density and distribution. Clear decrease of the wildcat population distribution range, constant and serious decrease in the population density could be found in Hungary between 1987 and 2001. The stable areas of the species' occurrence are the Transdanubian and the Northern Middle Altitude M...
New record of the Asiatic wildcat (Felis silvestris ornata Gray 1830) in Northeastern Anatolia
2018
The aim of this study is to determine new distribution records of Asiatic wildcat in Northeastern Turkey. Latest distribution and status of this elusive cat was uncertain due to limited wildlife research in Turkey. This study was conducted in 2015 and 2016. Field studies were carried out based on direct and indirect observations. Besides obtaining camera trap photos, direct observations were conducted by one or two teams, each of which consisting of two wildlife experts. In indirect observations, all tracks, feces, spaw, scrape, urine and food remains were benefited from. As a result of the study, 6 camera trap video records belonging to Asiatic wildcat were obtained. Asiatic wildcat, once regarded as least concern species, is declining rapidly in its natural habitat because of habitat fragmentation followed by the pressure of large predators and excessive use of agricultural pesticides. This present study is an update on current distribution of Asiatic wildcat in Northeastern Anato...
Nature and Conservation, 2006
The wildcat is one of the most endangered carnivore species in Europe. The population density declined and the distribution area became fragmented over the last century due to the hybridisation, loss of habitat, illegal hunting and road kills (Stahl and Artois 1994). However, a slight increase in the population density could be found in Belgium, France, Germany and Slovenia over the last few decades due to the recolonisation and reintroductions (Stahl and Artois 1994). Wildcats have been protected in Hungary since 1973, but the situation of this species was not been investigated until 1987. Mail questionnaire surveys were conducted between 1987 and 2001 to evaluate the changes of population density and distribution. Clear decrease of the wildcat population distribution range, constant and serious decrease in the population density could be found in Hungary between 1987 and 2001. The stable areas of the species’ occurrence are the Transdanubian and the Northern Middle Altitude Mounta...
The wildcat (Felis silvestris) finally recorded in the Netherlands
Lutra, 2005
Over recent years in the Netherlands a few cats have been found or seen in the field that showed characteristics of the wildcat. These observations are critically analysed here. Firstly a short overview is presented of the internal and external differences between the wildcat (Felis silvestris) and the domestic cat (Felis catus), and of the taxonomy and distribution of the wildcat. Important internal differences are the length of the intestinal tract (wildcat: <170 cm; domestic cat: >155 cm) and the intracranial volume (wildcat: >31 cm 3 ; domestic cat: <38 cm 3). The most distinguishing external differences are outlined. There are four recognisable groups of Felis silvestris: a. the thickset, heavily furred forest cats of Europe-the silvestris group; b. the light-bodied steppe cats of Asiathe ornata group; c. the slim, long-legged cats from Africa-the lybica group; and d. the domestic cat which can be found all over the world-the catus group. The closest wildcat habitats to the Netherlands lie to the south (in the Eifel hills, Germany, and the Ardennes, Belgium) and the east (in the area between the river Weser and the Harz mountains, Germany). Knowledge about the presence of the wildcat in the Netherlands in (pre)historical times is reviewed. Results of excavations show that the species lived in the Netherlands at least until the Roman Period. Shortly afterwards, the wildcat appears to have disappeared from the Netherlands, possibly because of deforestation. Although it cannot be excluded that it continued to live in the Netherlands after the Roman Period, we do not know of any records to confirm this. It is striking that in contrast to the wildcat, the presence and disappearance of other species of interest from the Netherlands, such as the beaver, otter, lynx and wolf, received much more attention. From the 1950s and the 1960s there have been observations of cats mainly from the province of Limburg, in the far south of the Netherlands. These findings showed one or more characteristics that pointed in the direction of wildcat. Nevertheless, not one definite positive observation has been obtained. And, in spite of persisting rumours, we have not been able to obtain any convincing information about observations from the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s. On 13 June 1999 a dead wildcat was found near Groenlanden, close to Nijmegen. The intracranial volume of this animal measured 40.0 cm 3 and the processus condylaris was longer than the processus angularis; identification as wildcat was supported by the colour and pattern of the fur. On 1 November 2002 a road casualty, a female, was found near Vaalsbroek Castle near Vaals, South-Limburg, whose external characteristics all looked like wildcat. On 1 March 2004 a young male wildcat was caught near Heeze (province of Noord-Brabant); the external appearance of a wildcat was supported by identification by DNA analysis; this cat was released after being measured. However, it later emerged that this cat was an unintentional introduction brought back as a domestic pet from the Vosges (France), which later strayed. Besides these three, positive observations, our intensive investigations have yielded three other observations of, what could have been, wildcats: two finds, in 1995 and 2001, and a sighting in 2004. Although the presence of the wildcat in the Netherlands has now been proven, reproduction and the presence of a sustainable population have not been determined. The most obvious place of origin of the wildcats seen in the Netherlands seems to be the Eifel in Germany, although the Ardennes in Belgium might also be a source. The population in the Eifel has grown strongly during the last 15 years, resulting in an estimated total of 250 animals in 2005 alone in the northern Eifel. Several possible explanations can be given for the presence of the wildcat in the Netherlands now. These include more extensive, and 68 Canters et al. / Lutra 2005 48 (2): 67-90 more suitable, habitat, changes in the management of nature reserves, growing tolerance by humans towards wildcats and vice versa, and an overflow from neighbouring areas, especially the Eifel, where wildcats live. Further research is needed to show the relative importance of these and other factors. In view of the legal status of the wildcat, heavily protected by national law and by several international treaties, the, small but real, chance of an encounter with a wildcat in the Netherlands has important consequences for nature management. Current legislation permits the shooting of domestic cats running wild. This is already problematic due to the uncertainty in determining, in the field, whether or not an animal is 'running wild'. More care now needs to be exercised to determine whether one is dealing with a feral domestic cat or a wildcat. We therefore urge responsible organisations to start a campaign to inform nature-managing institutions, in particular hunting clubs, about this new situation. We recommend that individual site managers and hunters do not shoot supposed domestic cats running wild, but catch them alive to ensure a correct identification and to exclude a possible violation of the law.